title: A comparison of two methods of whole gut lavage for colonoscopy.
abstract: Two forms of bowel preparation for colonoscopy were compared--19 patients were given 5 per cent mannitol solution orally while a further 19 were infused with isotonic saline via a nasogastric tube. Both methods proved equally acceptable to the patients and endoscopists. Saline led to a rise in body weight (+0.75 +/- 0.35 kg) and blood pressure (+7.5 +/- 2.8 mmHg) while mannitol caused a significant fall in both body weight (-0.74 +/- 0.28 kg) and blood pressure (-3.8 +/- 2.9 mmHg). Plasma volume measurements were carried out on 17 patients; 8 receiving saline showed a rise (+0.22 +/- 0.08 l) while 9 taking mannitol experienced a fall (-0.17 +/- 0.08 l). Twelve further subjects prepared with a combination 10 per cent mannitol and isotonic saline showed a small fall in plasma volume (-0.08 +/- 0.05 l). Mannitol proved an acceptable preparation for colonoscopies but a fall in body weight, blood pressure and plasma volume posed a small risk to the elderly subject and in view of the known risks of mannitol during diathermy this form of preparation was not considered a suitable alternative to isotonic saline.
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001835:Body Weight; D003113:Colonoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007441:Intubation, Gastrointestinal; D008353:Mannitol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010953:Plasma Volume; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D008353:Mannitol; D012965:Sodium Chloride